So You've Got an American Airlines Virtual Gift Card? Let's Get You Flying!
Hey there, future traveler! Just received an American Airlines virtual gift card and wondering how to turn that digital goodness into a fantastic flight? You're in the right place! Think of this guide as your personal roadmap to redeeming that gift and soaring through the skies. We'll break down every step, making the process as smooth as a transatlantic flight with no turbulence. Ready to embark on your journey? Let's dive in!
 |
| How To Use American Airlines Virtual Gift Card |
Step 1: Unearthing Your Virtual Treasure
Before you can book that dream vacation, you need to access the vital details of your virtual gift card.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Email for the Golden Ticket
Locate the email: Remember that email you received when the virtual gift card was purchased? That's your starting point! It will typically come from American Airlines or the gift card vendor. Check your inbox, spam, and even junk folders, just in case it got rerouted.
Find the link: Within this email, you'll find a secure link. Click on this link to reveal your unique gift card number and its corresponding PIN. Do not share this link or these details with anyone you don't trust.
Note down the details: It's highly recommended to write down or securely save your 15-digit gift card number and the 4-digit PIN. Having them readily available will make the booking process much faster. You'll need them exactly as they appear.
Sub-heading: Verifying Your Balance (Optional, but Recommended!)
While not strictly a redemption step, it's always a good idea to confirm your gift card's balance before you start looking for flights. This helps avoid any surprises later.
Visit the American Airlines Gift Card website: Go to giftcards.aa.com.
Enter your details: Look for a section to check your balance and input your gift card number and PIN.
Confirm your balance: The system will display the current value of your gift card. This ensures you know exactly how much travel credit you have.
Step 2: Charting Your Course: Finding Your Flight
Now comes the exciting part – finding where you want to go!
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
Sub-heading: Navigating to the American Airlines Website
Open your browser: Head to the official American Airlines website:
www.aa.com Start your flight search: On the homepage, you'll see the flight search widget. Enter your:
Departure city
Arrival city
Travel dates (flexible or specific)
Number of passengers
Cabin class (Economy, Business, First, etc.)
Sub-heading: Selecting the Perfect Itinerary
Browse available flights: American Airlines will present you with a list of flights matching your criteria. Take your time to compare departure times, arrival times, layovers, and prices.
Choose your desired flight(s): Once you've found the perfect itinerary that fits your travel plans, select it and proceed to the next stage of the booking process. This will typically involve reviewing your flight details and selecting seats.
Step 3: The Grand Redemption: Applying Your Gift Card
This is the moment of truth! You're on the payment page, ready to transform your virtual gift card into actual airfare.
Sub-heading: Locating the Gift Card Payment Option
Scroll to the payment section: As you advance through the booking process, you'll eventually reach the "Payment" page.
Look for "Gift Card": On this page, you'll find various payment methods. Look for an option specifically labeled "Gift Card," "Voucher," or similar. Click on this option. It might be a dropdown menu or a separate input field.
Sub-heading: Entering Your Gift Card Details
Input the Card Number: Carefully enter the 15-digit gift card number you retrieved in Step 1. Double-check for any typos!
Enter the PIN: Next, input the 4-digit PIN associated with your virtual gift card. This is crucial for successful redemption.
Click "Apply" or "Redeem": After entering both the number and PIN, look for a button like "Apply," "Redeem," or "Add Gift Card." Click it to apply the gift card's value to your booking.
Sub-heading: Handling Remaining Balances
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
Full coverage: If your gift card balance covers the entire cost of your flight, congratulations! You're all set.
Partial coverage: If the flight cost exceeds your gift card's value, the applied amount will be deducted, and you'll see a remaining balance. You can then pay this difference using another accepted payment method, such as a credit card with a U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands billing address.
Multiple gift cards: American Airlines typically allows you to combine up to eight gift cards for a single transaction. Simply repeat the process of entering the card number and PIN for each additional gift card until you've applied all the desired credit.
Unused balance: If your flight costs less than your gift card's value, the remaining balance will stay on the same virtual gift card for future use. The card will remain active until its balance is zero.
Step 4: Finalizing Your Booking
You're almost there! Just a few more clicks to confirm your trip.
Sub-heading: Reviewing Your Purchase
Double-check everything: Before you hit that final "Purchase" button, take a moment to meticulously review all the details of your booking:
Flight dates and times
Passenger names
Seat selections
Total cost and applied gift card amount
Remaining balance (if any) and how you intend to pay it
Sub-heading: Confirming Your Reservation
Click "Purchase" or "Complete Booking": Once you're confident that all details are correct, click the final confirmation button.
Receive your confirmation: You'll receive a confirmation email shortly after, containing your itinerary and booking reference number. Keep this email safe!
Important Considerations and Tips:
Expiration: American Airlines virtual gift cards do not expire, so you can use them whenever you're ready to fly.
What can you buy? Gift cards are primarily for the initial electronic ticket purchase of air travel on flights marketed by American Airlines (including those operated by American Eagle, oneworld airlines, and codeshare partners with an American Airlines flight number). This includes the base airfare and directly associated taxes and fees.
What can't you buy? They generally cannot be used for:
Upgrades
Admirals Club membership or day passes
In-flight purchases (food, drinks, Wi-Fi)
Baggage fees (unless part of the initial fare calculation)
Pet fees
Unaccompanied minor fees
Ticketing fees for reservations made over the phone (these typically need a credit card)
Lost or Stolen Cards: Treat your virtual gift card number and PIN like cash. American Airlines is not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards.
Booking by Phone: While online redemption is usually the easiest, you can also redeem your gift card by calling American Airlines reservations. Be prepared to provide your gift card number and PIN to the agent. Note that a ticketing charge may apply for phone bookings.
You've successfully used your American Airlines virtual gift card! Now, go forth and enjoy your journey!
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Save your favorite part of this post.
How to check the balance of my American Airlines virtual gift card?
You can check your balance by visiting the American Airlines Gift Card website at giftcards.aa.com and entering your card number and PIN in the designated section.
How to use multiple American Airlines virtual gift cards for one booking?
You can use up to eight American Airlines gift cards for a single transaction on AA.com. Simply enter the card number and PIN for each gift card one by one on the payment page.
How to book a flight for someone else using my American Airlines virtual gift card?
Yes, you can use your American Airlines virtual gift card to book a flight for someone else. Just follow the standard booking process on AA.com and enter your gift card details at the payment stage.
How to find the PIN for my American Airlines virtual gift card?
The PIN for your virtual gift card is provided in the email you received when the gift card was purchased. You'll need to click on the secure link within that email to reveal both the card number and PIN.
How to use my American Airlines virtual gift card if the flight cost is less than the card's value?
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
If your flight costs less than the value of your gift card, the unused balance will remain on the same virtual gift card for future purchases until the balance reaches zero.
How to pay the remaining balance if my American Airlines virtual gift card doesn't cover the full flight cost?
If your gift card doesn't cover the full amount, you can pay the remaining balance using a credit card with a billing address in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands.
How to get a refund if I cancel a flight purchased with an American Airlines virtual gift card?
If you cancel a flight purchased with a gift card, the refund (after any applicable fees or penalties) will typically be issued back to the original gift card or as a flight credit, in accordance with American Airlines' refund policy.
How to contact American Airlines customer service for gift card issues?
You can contact American Airlines customer service for gift card inquiries by calling 1-800-677-9555 (Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM CST) or by emailing GiftCards@aa.com.
How to use American Airlines virtual gift cards for international flights?
American Airlines virtual gift cards can be used for international flights as long as the itinerary originates in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands and the flight is marketed by American Airlines or a codeshare partner with an American Airlines flight number.
How to prevent issues when redeeming an American Airlines virtual gift card?
To prevent issues, ensure your gift card has been activated (virtual cards are usually active 72 hours after purchase), double-check the card number and PIN for accuracy, and confirm the booking meets the gift card's terms and conditions (e.g., flight origin).
 |
